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47% of UK families admit to eating their dinner on the sofa

Families spend mealtimes in front of the TV rather than together round the dinner table, research reveals

Family meal times are being plagued by bad habits, according to recent research, after 47% of parents admit to eating their evening meal on the sofa in front of the TV.

Despite 86% of parents who took part in the research by Wimpy, believing that the evening meal is the most important part of family routine, hardly any of us are doing it.

The majority of parents (52%) blame work commitments as to why they can’t make it to the dining table, whereas 32% point the finger at their children’s after school activities.

Families in London were found to eat out more often than those who live in Scotland, and the North East, however the majority of families around the UK (73%) want to spend more quality dining time with their family – away from the sofa.

Growing up most of the time we sat on the sofa and ate, which suited us all then. However the main priority when my daughter started weaning was to get a table to eat together. Its a bit of a squeeze in our house but to me it was important. We all sit down and eat together with no tv/radio on for distraction and it gives us time to talk as a family. This works for us but its down to a each family what they do :)

We often all eat together as a family but it's a really tight squeeze in our kitchen.The children always eat round the table,but sometimes my husband and I have dinner on the sofa in front of the telly.

Growing up I was never expected to sit at table,we ate at different times,and the minute I left I ate in front on t.v.

However since having the boys I insist everyone sits at table,with no distractions,all eat together,chat about our days etc,I love this quality time and as we love eating in our house this works for us.